Towing with a 250 Bluetec
#26
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The attached photo was taken along the Valdez Highway, which has some very nice grades; and reminds me a lot of Switzerland.
Last edited by DUTCH; 06-16-2015 at 04:46 PM.
#27
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I met a couple in FL. that tow a 28' Airstream that weighs 6600# with a 2011 ML350BT. They said no problem.
#28
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#29
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I also just drove to Naples Florida from Ontario and now back up to the panhandle (Cape San Blas) for a week before heading home. 2,000 miles so far and averaging 20.5 mpg doing 77-79 mph on the interstate. Vehicle totally loaded with luggage.
Not too bad for a big V8. This is one day of the trip...
Not too bad for a big V8. This is one day of the trip...
Last edited by 2012MLBlue; 11-16-2015 at 10:43 AM.
#30
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
The wife and I just bought an ML250....and our manual says it is rated for 7,200lbs towing. I suppose that rating could be accurate with weight distribution and a 30 mile tow on level ground to the local state park on a 45 mph county road.
I own the vehicle and there is no way I would consider pulling anything over 3,500 lbs with this ML.
When my 14' cargo trailer is loaded, it is tipping the scales at about 4,000 lbs. My 2014 Ram EcoDiesel 3.0L V6 Turbo is on the verge of being too little and it has a 9,200lb tow rating. I do not understand why these manufacturers are so generous with their tow ratings. Seems their lawyers would warn them otherwise.
If anyone plans to tow in Colorado, you best take that tow weight rating and divide by 2. And if you are pulling a 6,000 Camper....good luck at getting over Wolf Creek Pass and even better luck to you on the decent. You will burn your brakes up, as there is no way that little 2.1L will do any engine braking for you.
By the way, don't get me wrong....our ML250 is the best vehicle we have ever owned.....love, love it!!!!!
I own the vehicle and there is no way I would consider pulling anything over 3,500 lbs with this ML.
When my 14' cargo trailer is loaded, it is tipping the scales at about 4,000 lbs. My 2014 Ram EcoDiesel 3.0L V6 Turbo is on the verge of being too little and it has a 9,200lb tow rating. I do not understand why these manufacturers are so generous with their tow ratings. Seems their lawyers would warn them otherwise.
If anyone plans to tow in Colorado, you best take that tow weight rating and divide by 2. And if you are pulling a 6,000 Camper....good luck at getting over Wolf Creek Pass and even better luck to you on the decent. You will burn your brakes up, as there is no way that little 2.1L will do any engine braking for you.
By the way, don't get me wrong....our ML250 is the best vehicle we have ever owned.....love, love it!!!!!
We tow our 6,000 lb 27' travel trailer all over Colorado with no difficulties, and see no need to halve M-B's tow rating. We use a weight distributing hitch and the control is exceptional.
I, too am interested in hearing from somebody with actual ML250 towing experience, especially with a 6,000# tall travel trailer.
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Etienne Lau (08-15-2021)
#31
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I'm bumping this post because I'm considering towing my Vette in a light weight enclosed aluminum trailer. Gross weight should be around 5000#. Maybe I will find someone with 250 towing experience. My gut says it'll be OK but I don't want to spend $15k on a trailer and then find out my tow vehicle won't cut it. It will be twice a year, to and from FL./Ohio.
#32
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2014 ML250BT
Is there anyone in the world with ML250BT towing experience?
We are looking at buying a caravan with a mass of around 2.5T (5600 lb) and I am nervous if our 250 will tow it safely.
We are looking at buying a caravan with a mass of around 2.5T (5600 lb) and I am nervous if our 250 will tow it safely.
#33
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Good luck. I've been trying to get info for nearly a year, I gave up. My opinion though is, if that's is gross weight your close to the max. If it's net, you could have a problem. Anyway, I still love my car. Mostly what you will find here is info on replacing wiper blades, installing mudflaps, or misc. how to's.
#34
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
Good luck. I've been trying to get info for nearly a year, I gave up. My opinion though is, if that's is gross weight your close to the max. If it's net, you could have a problem. Anyway, I still love my car. Mostly what you will find here is info on replacing wiper blades, installing mudflaps, or misc. how to's.
I would like to hear from somebody with experience towing a 6000# travel trailer with the new GLE 2.1 Turbodiesel.
Or ANY trailer approaching the tow rating, especially in the mountains.
The warranty on our 2010 ML350 Bluetec runs out next year and I really don't want to get the larger GLS, just to get the 3.0 L V6 if i don't have to.
#35
Super Member
Mercedes still has yet to release any diesels yet anyway. I am thinking it might not happen. Thanks VW. MB has low diesel sales but that is in part because the 250/300d has no power.
I guess it's worth another bump.
I would like to hear from somebody with experience towing a 6000# travel trailer with the new GLE 2.1 Turbodiesel.
Or ANY trailer approaching the tow rating, especially in the mountains.
The warranty on our 2010 ML350 Bluetec runs out next year and I really don't want to get the larger GLS, just to get the 3.0 L V6 if i don't have to.
I would like to hear from somebody with experience towing a 6000# travel trailer with the new GLE 2.1 Turbodiesel.
Or ANY trailer approaching the tow rating, especially in the mountains.
The warranty on our 2010 ML350 Bluetec runs out next year and I really don't want to get the larger GLS, just to get the 3.0 L V6 if i don't have to.
#36
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
The little M-B diesel has better torque specs than many V8 gassers. Just wondering how that translates into towing experience.
I know from test driving the little ML (now GLE) diesel that it doesn't feel as stout as our ML350 BT, but without hooking up and towing it's impossible to know.
There are plenty of new '17 diesels built and being held at various places - just under more scrutiny by the Feds and CARB. Our dealer has sold units that have been held since about July. So the sales numbers don't reflect demand.
#37
Super Member
I guess it's worth another bump.
I would like to hear from somebody with experience towing a 6000# travel trailer with the new GLE 2.1 Turbodiesel.
Or ANY trailer approaching the tow rating, especially in the mountains.
The warranty on our 2010 ML350 Bluetec runs out next year and I really don't want to get the larger GLS, just to get the 3.0 L V6 if i don't have to.
I would like to hear from somebody with experience towing a 6000# travel trailer with the new GLE 2.1 Turbodiesel.
Or ANY trailer approaching the tow rating, especially in the mountains.
The warranty on our 2010 ML350 Bluetec runs out next year and I really don't want to get the larger GLS, just to get the 3.0 L V6 if i don't have to.
I too miss the 6 cylinder diesel but even when the feds do approve the diesels for MB, next hurdle would be MBUSA deciding to allow a GLE350d in the US. Interesting that they did file the name "GLE350d" earlier this year but so far nothing has come of it. BMW received approval for their diesels over a month ago. Last I heard you could order the cars but BMWUSA still wasn't taking orders yet for the X5 35d. My local dealer is allowing people to configure the X5's now and they's expecting pricing and the order banks to open by the end of September.
#38
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
I already have a 27', 6000# trailer that I tow with our ML350BT. It's perfectly capable, and with the WDH and sway controls, it's very stable.
I know the 350 gas engine doesn't tow nearly as well as the 3.0 Diesel.
I guess another way to ask a question would be:
Has anybody used both the new 2.1L diesel and the 3.5L gas engine? Does the little diesel pull better than the 3.5L gasser?
I kind of think it might.
I know the 350 gas engine doesn't tow nearly as well as the 3.0 Diesel.
I guess another way to ask a question would be:
Has anybody used both the new 2.1L diesel and the 3.5L gas engine? Does the little diesel pull better than the 3.5L gasser?
I kind of think it might.
#39
Junior Member
Old thread, but here’s my experience — I’ve towed a fully loaded tandem axle U-haul trailer across the country a few times. The ML250 handled it no problem.
I also have a tandem axle car trailer that I want to tow that is loaded with a ‘59 Vette (in pieces). The trailer probably weighs more than the Vette. I talked to my tech (who pretty much has a stable of MB vehicles and does a lot of towing, etc) and he said I’d have no problem towing the car trailer (the car trailer’s electric brakes are no longer working).
My next bigger trailering I’m looking to do is a ready mix concrete trailer with about 1 yard of concrete. I won’t be going far or fast. We’ll see. The rental place may not approve my vehicle.
I also have a tandem axle car trailer that I want to tow that is loaded with a ‘59 Vette (in pieces). The trailer probably weighs more than the Vette. I talked to my tech (who pretty much has a stable of MB vehicles and does a lot of towing, etc) and he said I’d have no problem towing the car trailer (the car trailer’s electric brakes are no longer working).
My next bigger trailering I’m looking to do is a ready mix concrete trailer with about 1 yard of concrete. I won’t be going far or fast. We’ll see. The rental place may not approve my vehicle.
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Etienne Lau (08-15-2021)